News Archive - 2023

Full material information guidance published

Pair sentenced for role in building fraud

Two directors from the north east whose company carried out fraudulent and dangerous home improvement works that cost victims thousands of pounds have been sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (24 October 2023).

Rogue builder who scammed Swindon residents jailed for 15 months

A Swindon builder who defrauded 18 victims in his home town and along the M4 corridor has been jailed for 15 months.

Nine sales agents sentenced for role in Andrew Pilley fraud

Nine sales agents who tricked small businesses into buying overpriced energy contracts and convinced them not to sign up for better value alternatives have been sentenced today at Preston Crown Court court for their role in a complex fraud case. This is the latest milestone in the legal case that saw Andrew Pilley, the owner of Fleetwood Town Football Club and a range of other businesses, sentenced to 13 years in prison following a hearing in Preston Crown Court on Tuesday 4 July.

19 million lose money to scams but fewer than a third report

#NoBlameNoShame campaign launched to encourage people to talk about scams

Essex solar fraudsters prosecuted for conning elderly victims

A complex fraud investigation into the mis-selling of energy saving products to vulnerable victims has resulted in seven prosecutions.

NTS Scams Team helps ICO tackle nuisance calls

Fraudulent builder sentenced to 5 years for botched extensions

A builder from Mansfield who pressured householders across the East Midlands into paying for shoddy extensions that in many cases needed demolishing, has been sentenced today at Nottingham Crown Court.

Six fraudsters sentenced to 22.5 years for £10.5 million home improvement scam

Six fraudsters who conned elderly residents out of £10.5 million for over-priced and often unnecessary home improvement work have been sentenced to a combined total of 22.5 years at Nottingham Crown Court today (7 September 2023). Many of the group's victims were elderly and vulnerable people in their 80s and 90s, with some of the most vulnerable repeatedly and cynically targeted.

​Revised guidance published on terms used in property advertising

Revised guidance has been published by the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team with regard to supplementary terms used when marketing properties.

Fraudulent builder sentenced to 4 years and three months immediate custodial sentence

A fraudulent builder from Swindon who left work unfinished after pressuring victims to pay more than the agreed price has been sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (11 August 2023).

Ilford pair sentenced to for selling dangerous counterfeit phone chargers on eBay

Two men from Ilford who sold £90,000 worth of dangerous counterfeit electrical goods that put consumers at risk of electrocution and posed a fire risk were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Friday 21 July).

Andrew Pilley sentenced to 13 years in prison for fraud

​Andrew Pilley, the owner of Fleetwood Town Football Club and a range of other businesses, has been sentenced to 13 years in pirson following a hearing in Preston Crown Court today (Tuesday 4 July).

Trading Standards investigation leads to jail sentence for fraudulent ‘car-clocking’ operation

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards has welcomed a successful prosecution following their investigation into the fraudulent sale of second-hand cars

Rogue trader sentenced for selling clocked cars worth over £350,000

Birmingham man jailed for 27 months for supplying counterfeit designer goods

A Birmingham man has been handed a 27 month custodial sentence at Birmingham Crown Court today after being found guilty of trademark offences.

Andrew Pilley found guilty on four counts of fraud

Family who pocketed £2m from website scam sentenced to 21 years

A family who made over £2 million using deliberately misleading websites to trick people into paying for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which were freely available from the official NHS website, have been sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Builders successfully prosecuted for carrying out unnecessary work

Two brothers from Minety and a third man from Aldermaston have today (13 April), been given prison sentences, following a successful prosecution by Wiltshire Council supported by the National Trading Standards South West Regional Investigation Team.